Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution.

CHESHIRE EDUCATIONAL MASONIC INSTITUTION .

This institution was founded in 1 S 63 , and originated mainly through the suggestion and by the exertions of Bro . J . P . Platfc , a member of the Masonic body in Cheshire . It has since then gone on each year increasing in prosperity . Its object was the " education and advancement in life of children of distressed and deceased Freemasons . " It is founded on thc most

liberal principles , inasmuch as it is guided by similar rules to that of tho institution existing in connexion with the Grand Lodge of England , namely , that all children are educated in the same religions principles as their parents had professed , and of the largo number who have participated iu the benefits of the larger institution , we have the highest and most reliable authority

for stating that all have become creditable members of society , and some distinguished ornaments . The report issued for 1867 states that "the same gratifying features have characterized its proceedings since its commencement , arrd your committee have tho pleasure of stating that the funds have steadily increased , and , notwithstanding that 12 children have participated in its benefits ,

the amount at the credit of the institution at the close of the financial year is £ 859 Is . Sd ., showing a netfc increase of £ 193 Ms . 4 d ., of which sum £ 720 has been satisfactorily invested . From the lodges in the province the contributions out of the initiation and joining fees are £ 44 13 s- 9 d ., the donations £ 50 4 s ., and subscriptions £ 73 2 s . 3 d ., against £ 38 7 s . 3 d ., £ 62 7 s ., and £ 56 lis . 6 d .

in 1866 . The expenditure for education is £ 70 10 s . 9 d . against £ 44 18 s . 3 d . in 1866 ; income from interest on capital invested , £ 31 17 s . against £ 24 17 s . lid . in 1866 . " In order to assist the funds of so praiseworthy an

institution , it has been customary for the different lodges in Birkenhead and the neighbourhood , by means of amateur dramatic performances , concerts , & c , to assist its income . Last year ' s dramatic performance in the Birkenhead Theatre realised upwards of £ 55 , and by means of a concert in the lodge room of the " Combermere , " at Seacombe , twenty guineas were added to the funds .

The fourth annual dramatic performance , in aid of the funds of the institution , took place on Monday evening , the 21 st ult . The attendance was large and highly respectable . Amongst those present we noticed the family of Mr . Laird , M . P ., Mr . R . Galloway , Mr . H . LoA'at , Major W . Laird , Mr . J . Laird , jun ., Capfc . H . H . Laird , Lieut . Bell , Major Gaskell , Mr . T . Williams , Mr .

H . Nuttall , Mr . J . H . Barnett , Mr . James Beazley , Mr . Sanderson , Mr . J . B . Williams , Mr , Nuttall , etc ., and the following brethren : Bros . E . G- Willougkby , P . Prov . J . G . W . for Cheshire ; E . Grade , W . M . elect ofthe Mersey Lodge 477 ; F . K . Stevenson , P . M . Zetland Lodge 537 ; R . AekerJey , Treas ., 477 ; T . E . Hignett , S . Deacon , 537 ; James T . Lea , AV . M . 605 ; John Horbnry , P . M . 605 ; C .

P . Nosworthy , Sec . 537 ; R . B . Parkinson , 537 ; J . B . Hignett , P . Prov . J . G . D ., Cheshire ; J . P . Platfc , Prov . J . G . AY . & Treas ., Cheshire ; Henry Bulley , P . Prov . J . G . Deacon , Cheshire ; William Bnlloy , P . Prov . J . G . D ., Cheshire ; John Harold , Prov . G . Purst ., Cheshire ; Joseph Bratton , Prov . G . Snpfc . of Works- Cheshire ; T . Piatt , P . Prov . J . G . D ., Cheshire , and Edward Harbord ,

Sec . 477 , Hon . Sees . ; J . H . Johnstone ; G . Valpy Rowe ; H . O . Jones ; John Griffiths ; O . Saycr , Org- ; Henry Shaw ; Capt . John Jones and Robert Davies , 477 ; Henry Barclay , Org ., and M . Tueski , 537 , & c .

By the kind permission of Bro . Capfc . Holmes , the 2 nd Cheshire Rifle Volunteer band , aided by the orchestra ( string band ) of the Royal Alexandra Theatre , Liverpool , occupied the orchestra . The programme was as follows : —The first piece was the popular drama by Shirley Brooks , entitled "Love ' s Fetters , " which was followed by the favourite farce of " The Irish Tutor . " Among tho dramatis persona were several amateurs

Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution.

who had previously given their services on a similar occasion , and they were well supported by Miss Emily Weston , Miss Blanche Stammers , and Miss Maggie Grainger , who form part of the company of the Royal Alexandra Theatre and kindly volunteered their services , by the kinel permission of Bro . Edward Saker , the lessee , and ive need hardly say that they sustained their parts

well anel added zest to the proceedings . Bros . Tom Taylor and R . T . Parkinson well sustained their parts , the latter making a capital Jew . In the second piece Bro . Parkinson made a capital Filhvell , and Bro . T . E . Hignett produced a fund of amusement by his excellent acting in the Irish schoolmaster . The costumes , which were of tho richest character , were supplied by Bro . S .

May , of London and Liverpool , and thc si ago direction was most efficiently undertaken by Bro . John Chester , of the Royal Alexandra Theatre . Tho whole passed off with the greatest eclat , and we have little doubt tho entertainment will occasion a considerable augmentation of the funds of this excellent charity .

Metropolitan Lodge Meetings, Etc., For The Week Ending January 30th, 1869.

METROPOLITAN LODGE MEETINGS , ETC ., FOR THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 30 TH , 1869 .

MOXDAY , January 25 fch . —Royal Somerset House and Inverness , 4 , Freemasons' Hall . Castle Lodgo of Harmony , 26 , Willis's Rooms , Sfc . James ' s . Old King ' s Arms , 28 , Freemasons' Hall . Pyfchagorian , 79 , Lecture Hall , Royal Hill , Greenwich . Unity , 183 , London Tavern , Bishopsgate-streefc . British Oak , 831 . Bank of Friendship Tavern , Bancroft-place , Mile end . Tower Hamlets '

Engineers . 902 , George Hotel , Aldermaubury . Chapter : Robert Burns , 902 , Freemasons' Hall . TUESDAY , January 26 th . —Tuscan , 14 , Freemasons ' Hall . Moira , 92 , London Tavern , Bishopsgate-streefc . Faith , 141 , Anderfcons , Hotel , Fleet-street . Prudent Brethren , 145 , Freemasons' Hall . Industry , 186 , Freemasons' Hall . Israel 205 , Radley ' s Hotel , Bridge-street .

, Blackfriars . Prince of Wales , 259 , Willis ' s Rooms , Sfc . James ' s . Southern Star , 1 , 158 , Monfcpelier Tavern , Walworth . WEDNESDAY , January 27 th . —festival ofthe Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons . Antiquity , 2 , Freemasons ' Hall . Mount Moriah , 34 , Freemason ' s Hall . United

Pilgrims , 507 , Horns' Tavern , Kennington . High Cross , 754 , AVhite Hotel , Tottenham Station ' Royal Oak , 871 , Royal Oak Tavern , High-street , Deptford . Temperance in the East , 898 , Private Assembly Rooms , 6 , Newbyplace , Poplar . THURSDAY , January 21 sfc . —Gen . Com . Female School at Freemasons' Hall , at 4 . Neptune 22 Radley's Hotel

, , , Bridge-street , Blackfriars . Peace and Harmony , 60 , London Tavern , Bishopsgate-streefc . Prosperity , 55 , Guildhall Coffee House , Gresham-street . Grenadiers , 66 , Freemasons' Hall . Shakespeare , 99 , Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-streefc . Victoria , 1 , 056 , George Hotel , Aldermaubury . Chapters : Domatic , 177 , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . Polish National , 54 , Freemasons' Hall .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

Communication received from R . P . J ., Vancouver Island : H . J . G ., Norwich ; J . T . Kirkelale ; B . C . Weston-super-Mare ; A . AV . Carlisle ; Carrick a Mulchin , Omaghj AV . P . B ., Glassroiv ; D . M . Lyon , Ayr ; JT . G . L ., Newcastle ; P . W . Tredegar ; J . S . G ., Guernsey ; Dualxo ; J . G ., Glasgow ; J . A ., Glasgow ; Bro . Rob . Morris , Kentucky ; " A ' ei-daut-Pot-. ito "; C . D . G ., Qnecnstown , Cape of Good Hope ; E . S . T . Ipswich ; Scientific Lodge , AVolverton : Prov . G . L . of Middle AVarel of Lanarkshire . C . AV . L . —A \ e shall be glad to heat' from you again relative to your communication of Gth inst .